Following on from their recent collaborative single, “Imposter,” darkwave/synthpop artist Cuffed and Russian genre-bender NOANGELSS have released a new video for the track. Directed by Michael E Linn (Danny Elfman, Mareux, Boy Harsher) of the Muted Widows, the video addresses themes of self-discovery, personal transformation, and the courage to reveal one’s true self. Watch it in the article below.
Stream “Imposter” here: https://links.dunealtar.com/cuffed/imposter
Filmed in a stark, industrial warehouse setting in downtown Los Angeles, the “Imposter” video is a visceral journey of shedding false identities and embracing authenticity. Of the process, Cuffed’s Tyler Fortney noted, “We shot the video in a grungy warehouse in downtown LA, in my opinion it’s the perfect place to shoot a video for cuffed. I was truly blown away with what Micheal did with virtually nothing but a camera, some really talented performance artists and a camera.”
“Imposter,” which premiered on September 22, has already made waves with its dark, synth-driven sound and emotionally raw lyrics. The track captures the essence of inner turmoil and identity struggles, which the video brings to life in stunning detail. With Linn’s cinematic direction, the video’s imagery intensifies the song’s emotional impact, immersing viewers in a world of powerful visual metaphors where transformation and liberation are key. Linn explains, “We often find ourselves cloaking certain truths we possess, big or small, out of fear of being accepted when in actuality those truths are what bring us closer to people. This video became a reflection of that theme.”
Cuffed – born from the mind of Tyler “Fournames” Fortney – blends darkwave, synthpop, and post-punk influences to create a sound that reflects both personal and societal shadows. Despite a career working with artists like She Wants Revenge, boygenius, and The Neighbourhood, Cuffed is a deeply personal solo project, where each track serves as a form of catharsis and sonic exploration.
NOANGELSS – Russian-born, but internet-raised – crafting her own world through sound and poetry, addressing timeless questions about purpose, love, and overcoming fear. With genre-bending, heavy vocals, and vibrant storytelling, NOANGELSS first made her mark with a series of singles and the album Gobbler, featuring the dreamy closing track, “The Gatherer and The Gander,” produced by blackawasaki. Her music is a complex orchestra of harsh, booming sounds intertwined with a velvety yet sharp voice, layered with intricate details.
The “Imposter” video speaks to the song’s core idea of confronting who we are underneath the masks we wear. “For me, the storyline stays true to the subject of the song. Being that it’s written about not feeling accepted being your true self we see these people shed their acceptable appearance and get to who they really are, a beautiful bunch of misfits.”
Check out the video for Cuffed’s last single “Visitors”:
EXCLUSIVE VIDEO PREMIERE: Cuffed Shares a new single and Video for “Visitors”